Book Club and Treats

Last month I attended my first book club meeting.  Who wouldn't enjoy a night out talking about books and eating treats.  When they asked for volunteers for the next meeting place, no one raised their hand.  Then there was me, venturing out into new territory, trying to make friends and engage in community...I timidly answered, "I'll do it..." So this week I held the book club at my house...

The book of the month was Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg.

Source

I'm not much for writing reviews.  I'm afraid I'll reveal too much.  However, it is truly a lovely story, and a quick easy read.  You won't be sorry for having read it.  I was able to finish it on my car trip to Salt Lake.  It was written by the same author who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes.  I never read that book, but I saw the movie.

Christmas treats and books = a fun evening.

Have you read any fun Christmas books this Season?

 

The Art of Creating

Sometimes on those rare occasion, I can be down right crafty...but the mood has to strike just right, and the moon has to align a certain way...other times, I can be crafty when someone else has been inspired and done most of the work.

The other night I participated in this most awesome night of women gathering together to craft and eat and chat...It was amazing.  I didn't even have to brainstorm a thing...just go, pay and craft away.  The kits were already done, I just had to paint and put it together.  I felt so accomplished coming home with three projects.  If you live in the area, you can follow her blog...check out the cute projects she offered and watch for future events.  She is uber reasonable.

This is by far my favorite..

Creating makes me happy, and I am grateful for good friends.

When Someone is Suffering...

Source

We've all been there, and offered to give help and serve those in need..."If you need anything...Just give me a call."  But the thing is, when you are the one suffering, you really don't want to put someone out...and sometimes you are in so much pain...just the very act of thinking about what you need becomes painful.

After having experienced what I have over the last few months, I wanted to share some thoughts and ideas I have learned about helping and serving those who don't ask.  No longer will I say, "If you need anything...." Because now I know specifics I can focus on...

• an offer of a ride to an appointment - there were a few times my husband went to work late to drive me to therapy appointments.  But there were also a few times, I had to do it myself.  This meant not being able to take the medication that helped to control my pain.  
• Meals are nice, but really my husband and daughter had it covered.  He's picky and I have food allergies...but dropping by a treat says "Hey I was thinking of you"
• Offer to run to the store and pick up some things
• Texts 
• Phone calls 
• prayers and fasting
• Play Words with Friends or another game just to keep them involved.
• I was incredibly lonely...I would have loved it if someone came over to watch a movie or just talk

I know I'm not the only one who has gone through a trial like this.  

What things have you learned about service?

Mosiah 2:17  "And behold, I tell you these things that you may learn wisdom;

that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings

ye are only in the service of your God."

31 Days of Faith {For Your Weekend}

Again, following in the inspired steps of Emily at Chatting at the Sky, 

I give you my wishes for your weekend.

May you surround yourself this weekend with valiant youth, best friends and 

the beauty of God's creations.

I'm not a good friend

 Photo Source

I'm not a very good friend.  It's true!  I have friends or acquaintances, I treat everyone decent.  (I hope).  I just don't make a very GOOD friend.  I'm not the kind of person someone calls up and says " Hey, let's go to lunch," or "let's go window shopping" or "let's go to a movie."  People just don't call me to do things like that.  I tried myself once or twice,  but, usually, I get denied.  Something happens when you become a wife and a mother, everything else takes a backseat my family will always take precedence.  Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to have a girlfriend to do girly stuff with, but I think I am too stand offish.  My fault...It's from moving around too much.  It's hard to make close friends then move away.  What's even worse is when you have a close friend and she dumps you for someone else.  Since when did friendships become so much like dating?  The pain and hurt from past experiences prevents me from reaching out to other women in more than just a friendly manner.  That's why blogging has appealed to me.  I have met some wonderful women on here, and would even venture to call them my friends, but I won't call them up and ask them to go to a movie, because, basically, they live too far away.  Thus, this saves me from being denied.

My ramblings preclude me from solidifying my point which is...I don't know....